Schwarz backing Hogan trade
MELBOURNE great David Schwarz says it is time to trade Jesse Hogan to maximise his value as the Demons prepare to meet their star forward to clarify his future.
But the Melbourne bestand-fairest winner has urged the Demons not to bring in Gold Coast’s Steven May, worried about his lack of conditioning and his willingness to leave the Suns as a co-captain.
Schwarz said yesterday he was worried that May turned up “fat” every pre-season, confident the Demons could fix their defensive frailties when Jake Lever returned from an ACL reconstruction next year.
The Demons are expected to meet Hogan today, but his unwillingness to extend his contract past 2019 could end up forcing their hand and triggering a trade with Fremantle. Fremantle has not discussed terms to secure Hogan, but he could name his own price on a five or six-year deal worth more than $1 million a season.
Schwarz said Melbourne had now become a destination club which should not be afraid if players left because they were replaceable.
“I think we have learnt in recent times everyone is tradeable,” he said. “For Melbourne the comfort we have is we have a kid named Sam Weideman and a forward named Tom McDonald and we would also get a bloody good price for Hogan.
“If the price is right, absolutely trade him.
“If Bryce Gibbs commanded two first-round picks and we paid two firstround picks for Jake Lever, Jesse Hogan is worth two firstround picks or a first-round pick and Andrew Brayshaw.”